Mafia Island

Location: East Coast, Zanzibar Island

Overview

Located 160km south of Zanzibar Island, being the smallest and southernmost off the main land Tanzania. It’s an approximate thirty minutes by air from Dar es Salaam, and about 20km opposite the Rufiji Delta from the mainland. The first Mafia Island Marine Park was created in 1994, with a whole range of attractions which include historical ruins, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling and diving. The Chole Bay and surrounding forests are located under the protected Marine Park.

The size of this small archipelago is 50kms and 15kms wide and is the largest consisting of many smaller atolls and sandbanks. Well known for its coral reefs that surround the whole island, there are many private sandy beaches and spectacular flora and fauna, a place to relax and recuperate after a safari.

The island is true a paradise for anglers, divers and water sport enthusiasts, with a population mainly of fishermen. The islands plantations are remnants from the Omani rule, with the staple food as cassava which was imported from Brazil by the Portuguese and mainly food for the slaves. The eastern side of the island is protected by a 33km long outer reef from the Indian Ocean, the western side is influenced by the nearby mainland and better protected than the eastern side.

The Island offers more the 2,000 species from 150 families on the western part of the Indian Ocean with new species identified yearly, visibility varies from 20 to 25m between October and February and drops from 5m to 10m between June and September, visible are fire corals, antler corals, leafy corals a refuge for a number of rainbow fish, from angel fish, butterfly fish, wrasse, parrot fish, and rays can be seen.

The Uniqueness of this Park

- Mafia Island is a paradise with superb diving, excellent for angler and water sport enthusiast
- Pristine waters
- White sand beaches and spectacular coral reefs
- Known as the pure and untouched island.